Harney reveals hep C and HIV assurance plan

MORE than a year after the Government promised a statutory scheme to allow people infected with hepatitis C and HIV obtain life assurance, a bill legislating for the scheme has finally been published.

The Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal (Amendment) Bill 2006, when enacted, will give those who received contaminated blood products — administered by the State — reasonable access to the assurance market otherwise unavailable or available at a prohibitive cost.

Unveiling the bill yesterday, Tánaiste and Health Minister Mary Harney said it would also offer mortgage protection for recipients of infected blood and blood products.